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Model stripping is not working out

Discussion in 'Kits, Kit bashes & Scratch builds' started by Timbersurf, Dec 8, 2018.

  1. Dec 8, 2018 #1
    Timbersurf

    Timbersurf

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    First, get your mind out of the gutter!

    I have a 1980's hornby engine with yellow painted bits.
    I also have a matchbox OO vehicle painted light blue.
    I have done lots of research on the web for alternative methods of stripping the paint.
    So far, I have tried everything on both and nothing works!
    The only exception is nitromors on the engine, as a test shows it melts the plastic.

    So far I have tried all solvents, paint stripper, caustic soda and oven cleaner.
    What am I doing wrong? or do I have succumb to buying proprietary model stripper?
     
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  2. Dec 8, 2018 #2
    Gary

    Gary Wants more time for modelling.... Staff Member Administrator

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    Soak overnight in Detol. That seems to work ! Dundee Paul has used this method a few times and has had results.

    I have used Isopropyl Alcohol and a tooth brush in the past and it does a fair job...

    Cheers, Gary.
     
  3. Dec 8, 2018 #3
    jakesdad13

    jakesdad13 Staff Member Moderator

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    Paul Dundee has had good results by dipping his model in Dettol, it takes a while but it worked for him.

    Pete.
     
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  4. Dec 8, 2018 #4
    Timbersurf

    Timbersurf

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    Detol! Thats another trip to Tesco!
    At this rate, my model bench will be better equipped to clean the house than the wife's cleaning cupboard!
     
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  5. Dec 9, 2018 #5
    paul_l

    paul_l Staff Member Administrator

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    Has to be the brown detol, it worked on some old Mainline BG's, and a Hornby J83

    Paint Stripping - post 31 onwards

    Can take +48hrs, an old tooth brush to help ease off the softened paint also helps (use of Latex or Nitrile gloves is recommended), and a container with a lid (otherwise the whole house stinks of detol - don't ask).

    Paul
     
  6. Dec 9, 2018 #6
    Sol

    Sol Full Member

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    I have seen similar stripping using methylated spirits.
     
  7. Dec 9, 2018 #7
    Timbersurf

    Timbersurf

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    Shhhhh! Don't mention Meths around Paul, I just read in his thread, >Toto has driven him to it, before!

    I will have a bash with some para-chloro-meta-xylenol (Dettol) first.

    I am beginning to see that the problem may just be impatience, many of these methods must work, but I am not waiting long enough.
     
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  8. Dec 9, 2018 #8
    Wolseley

    Wolseley Full Member

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    Have you tried brake fluid? It does strip paint (which is why you have to be careful when you top up the brake fluid reservoir in your car). I used some many years ago (like a few decades ago) to strip a Tri-ang loco body - not so much because it was the best thing for the job but rather because I didn't have any paint strippers but I did have an old (as in too old to use in the car) bottle of brake fluid.
     
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  9. Dec 9, 2018 #9
    60019Bittern

    60019Bittern Full Member

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    I've used brake fluid in the past as well. Sometimes you need to give it another going over, especially on Lima Yellow ends. Cellulose thinners are sometimes useful on metal kits, especially if you want to break it down as it softens araldite nicely with an overnight soak. Do it outside though as it does pong a bit.
     
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  10. Dec 12, 2018 #10
    Wolseley

    Wolseley Full Member

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    I seem to recall brown vinegar doing that fairly well too. It does leave a bit of a film on whitemetal (I haven't tried it on brass) but it does scrub off.
     
  11. Dec 12, 2018 #11
    Steve Fay

    Steve Fay Full Member

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    I’ve stripped a few Heljan O gauge models in Detol and it does work, can take a while but it does the job
     
  12. Dec 12, 2018 #12
    Matt

    Matt Full Member

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    What about Fairy Power Spray? I've used it to remove paint several times. Like Dettol it takes a bit of time though. And you'll have to go back to Tesco though!
     
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  13. Dec 12, 2018 #13
    SMR CHRIS

    SMR CHRIS Staff Member Moderator

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    For the brake fluid as a stripper. , the newer fluids aren’t as effective as the older fluid was a few years ago I’m guessing the manufacturers have done some chemical adjustments to lessen its effects.
    But if like “Wolseley” you have a bottle that’s old and sitting in the shed it will be much better than buying a new bottle.
    Don’t forget it’s a hydroscopic fluid (absorbs water) so don’t use the old stuff in the car keep it for paint stripping :giggle:

    I have had good results with the “ Detol “ just do a test on the inside of the model as with all strippers,

    I did find one very old Lima “O” open wagon had some negative effect to the plastic surface. Could have been the plastic in the specific wagon as I did a couple of the same type of wagon at the time and only one had the issue “the bright yellow version” :scratchchin:
     
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  14. Dec 17, 2018 #14
    Timbersurf

    Timbersurf

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    Well I could have sworn I had an old tin of brake fluid in the cellar but can't find it! So having been to Tesco, took the plunge with Dettol and retried the Caustic soda.
    The caustic worked on some yellow bands on a Hornby coach but won't touch the yellow on my HST's.
    The Dettol worked within 2 hours on the same coach, so immersed the whole coach in a bag with some Dettol, after 24hrs the yellow has come off, but the dark blue is slightly soft, so scrubbed off what I could and have re-immersed. TBA. If it works on the blue (albeit slower) I will try the HST later.
     
  15. Dec 18, 2018 #15
    paul_l

    paul_l Staff Member Administrator

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    Suggest you get some paper coffee filters to help clean the dettol once finished.

    Paul
     
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